Humphrey Bogart may not have invented the trench coat, but he definitely is the person we think of whenever the trench coat comes up in conversation. Of course, we can admit that it likely comes up in conversation around our dinner table more than yours since this is our business. But if you have seen Casablanca, you are no stranger to how fantastic a trench coat can look. It is why it is one of the best overcoats for men. Many other famous movie characters have utilized the sartorial excellence of the trench coat, from Daniel Craig’s James Bond to Brad Pitt in Ocean’s Eleven. Now you can benefit from the style, and we can show you how by giving you our picks for the best trench coat options for men in 2024.
What is the difference between an overcoat and a trench coat?
Just like blazers and sport coats, or khakis and chinos, overcoats and trench coats are terms that are used interchangeably but have very different meanings. Overcoats are a category that includes everything from Chesterfields (your basic wool overcoat) and duffle coats to trench coats and peacoats. What sets the trench coat apart from the rest is its history and features.
It came about in WWI when soldiers needed a way to stay dry and warm on the battlefield. If you know anything about WWI history, the battlefield was made up of trenches, so the coat carried the name. Today, they are made from gabardine, a wool woven so tightly that it is waterproof. They also oftentimes have built-in belts around the waist to keep them tight against the body. Some of today’s trench coats deviate from the gabardine or ditch the belt, but the true versions have both.
Now that you understand the difference between these and other overcoats, let’s take a look at our list of the eight best trench coats for you to buy this year.
Hockerty double-breasted trench coat
If you are shopping for a new trench coat, why would you settle for what someone else wants? Why not go for something that you can create for yourself? Hockerty allows you to choose the color, the length, the material, and the features. So if you want the classic trench coat, do it. If you want to spruce it up, go for it.
Paul Stuart Storm System
Paul Stuart shirks the tradition of the belt and the color with the Storm System. Weather isn’t going to care what you are wearing or that you need to stay dry. The Storm System is perfect for covering up your clothes but not covering up your style. The blue will help you stand out among the rest.
Brooks Brothers Supima Cotton Thermore Fill
When you need something classic, you can always go to a place that delivers classics. Brooks Brothers brings you all the same features as the classic Humphrey Bogart sported while choosing between his love for Ingrid Bergman and the needs of a friend in Casablanca. When you want to get everything just right to stand the test of time, this is the coat for you.
Mackintosh St. Andrews
Speaking of classics. The Ford Model T. Sean Connery’s James Bond. There is something to be said about the original. And Mackintosh is largely considered the innovator of the trench coat since Charles Mackintosh first patented the technology to waterproof the coat. That is why the trench coat is called a Mackintosh in some circles.
Burberry Kensington
Burberry is one of the most recognizable names in the entire fashion industry. And with this coat, you get all the classic features of the trench coat. The gabardine cotton, the waist belt, and the shoulder tabs are all present. This one is also upgraded with Burberry’s iconic cotton lining, making this about as elevated as the classic can get.
Hawes & Curtis Khaki Trench
Hawes & Curtis is a London staple from the early 1900s. While they were primarily known for having the best dress shirts in the world, dressing Lord Mountbatten for the majority of his life and Prince Phillip granting them a Royal Warrant of Appointment put them on the map for the next century. It was only a matter of time before the staple clothing company developed a staple garment, and they hit it out of the park when they did.
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Trench
Not all trench coats come from across the pond. Ralph Lauren is one of the more classic and timeless American brands, and their take on the trench coat puts the American spin on the British classic. The double-breasted cut with the belt keeps true to the classic garment, while the length and the silhouette are perfect for Ralph Lauren.
A.P.C. Cotton-Twill Trench Coat
For pairing with your favorite jeans from A.P.C., why not pick up this streamlined, minimal trench coat made from a durable cotton-nylon blend? Sounds like a winner in our book. It’s even better that you can find it at one of the best online clothing stores for men.
There are plenty of overcoats that you can add to your wardrobe, but the trench coat is the perfect transition look to keep you warm and dry all year round. Once you pick one up you will be channeling your inner Bogart by proclaiming this to be the start of a beautiful friendship.
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